Foreign Relations of the United States, 1952–1954, Indochina, Volume XIII, Part 1

751G.5622/1–2154: Telegram

The Chargé in France (Achilles) to the Department of State

top secret
priority

Paris, January 21, 1954—5 p.m.

2697. Repeated information priority Saigon 290. Saigon 1284 (Paris 391) January 20.¹Maurice Schumann handed me note this morning regarding the provision of additional B–26 aircraft for IC, a free translation of which follows:

“January 4 Laniel addressed letter Ambassador emphasizing urgency of request presented in December 1953 by French Command to MAAG Saigon with view to increasing number aircraft in two B–26 groups IC from 16 to 25. (This in reference Laniel letter transmitted Embassy telegram 2503, Saigon 256 (January 5).)

“Heath and Trapnell have made known Jacquet, presently on mission Saigon, that seven B–26 aircraft would be delivered about January 25, or 26. No notice further deliveries has been given thus far. Heath and Trapnell have however indicated to Jacquet that General Weyland awaited only authorization from Washington to dispatch to IC about ten B–26’s which are available Korea. (Foregoing appears to be in line paragraph 1 reference telegram.)²“In view imminence Viet Minh attack Dien Bien Phu, the Secretary of State urges that necessary orders be given urgently by US Government to General Weyland”.

Schumann emphasized to me personally urgency with which this matter viewed by French Government in view proximity anticipated attack Dien Bien Phu.

Achilles

1. The reference telegram read in part as follows: “1. Jacquet, Ambassador Dejean and General Bodet met with General Trapnell and me [Ambassador Heath] this afternoon to urge US send immediately ten B–26 light bombers either as gift or loan. Trapnell is recommending urgently. These ten B–26s plus seven more regularly programmed B–26s scheduled to arrive Saigon about January 25 would provide 17 additional B–26s which will absolutely be needed if, as expected, Viet Minh attack Dien Bien Phu in the next few days. At present French Air Force here has only 39 B–26s.” (751G.5622/1–2054)
2. Telegram 1298 from Saigon, Jan. 22, repeated to Paris for information as telegram 396, read as follows: “There is a slight correction to be made in Paris 2697 to Department of January 21. General Trapnell and I did not tell Jacquet that Weyland was only waiting authorization from Washington to dispatch on 10 B–26’s. We only said that Japan would be probable source of planes if Washington approved request.” (751G.5622/1–2254)